We all see prisoners in documentaries and in shows that are extremely jacked. Most prisoners have horrible diets due to the poor nutrition they are fed in prison. Pictured below you can see somehow these inmates are getting very muscular..

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They get food that is low in nutrients and protein, and high in fat and quick carbs most of the time. Pictured below are two prison meals from an average American Prison. They only get 2,818 calories a day (but these are empty or bad calories that are usually turned into fat if not burned off). As you see each meal costs a whopping $1.77?!!!! In addition to that prisoners don’t usually get a lunch, they only get breakfast and dinner.

By looking at some of the foods liked fried rice, beans, cornbread, cake, and biscuits you wouldn’t think a consumer could gain muscle off of this. If you talked to a conventional nutritionist they would probably tell you it’s nearly impossible to get muscular off of a diet like this!

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Prisons are notorious for having minimal weight lifting equipment in the yards with only a certain set of weights. Prisoners sometimes have to resort to push-ups, pull-ups, and sit ups for additional muscle work. A fitness professional would tell you that in addition to be eating a great diet, you also need to take supplements and need to be on a robust weight lifting routine with various different weight machines and free weights.

Yet somehow prisoners can and do get jacked...

Let’s take a look at a few potential reasons why...

Eat or Be Eaten

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Prisoners have to be big and strong or else they will be bullied and picked on. When a new inmate checks into prison, he is seen as weak and vulnerable. It is a matter of survival. Lifting becomes the most important thing for survival and so inmates must make that a priority. Prisoners are constantly pushing themselves with the small gym equipment that they have and are regularly doing bodyweight exercises (push-ups) in their cell.

High Testosterone

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Prisoners generally have higher testosterone than the average male. It’s this high testosterone that encouraged risky criminal behavior and got them arrested in the first place. Also, inmates tend to be young and testosterone is highest when you are in your late teens and 20’s. Testosterone is essential in protein synthesis, the process by which you build muscle and these guys have more than enough of it!

Strict Gym Routine

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Prisoners most likely have a gym routine. They are on a strict schedule because they have the luxury of time. They don’t have many other errands to do. They don’t have to worry about paying taxes, paying for child support, working a menial job in an office, or sitting in traffic (hehe all jokes aside, these are occurrences that prevent most men from lifting).

Optimal Sleep and No Alcohol

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They get enough sleep and don’t consume alcohol. Prisoners usually go to bed and wake up around the same time everyday based on the guard’s schedule. Also, without the availability of alcohol, their testosterone isn’t lowered. Alcohol impairs muscle building and deep sleep, both negatives of muscle building that they avoid!

Steroids

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Last but not least – Steroids. Every prisoner has access to drugs somehow or someway. All prisoners who work out may not take steroids or may not need to, but if they had access to it, it would certainly enhance their muscle gains.

Conclusion

So there you have it folks. My speculative thoughts into how prisoners, who don’t have great gym equipment and have poor diets, somehow manage to change themselves into mean and muscular beasts. This goes to show you that it is really determination, persistence, and grit that build a great physique! I hope this article made you more interested in the art and sport of bodybuilding. I try to build the best content around health and fitness on here, and I figured this article would be a nice little change-up!

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Until Next Time...Best Regards

Fitness Guy